5.30.2017

Now, some VR game arcades open and the cyber cafes introducing VR HMD increase one after another in Japan. However, can we try VR more casually? cross-modal café is right the VR cafe which is friendly for VR beginner.

Seemingly there is a Japanese classic cafe, but you will find that there is some VR HMD there immediately.

Originally it was a common cafe, but Japanese tech startup Piyamaru made there VR cafe in November, 2016.

They have Gear VR, PlayStation VR, HTC Vive, and we can use them for 1,000yen(about 8.9USD) for 30minutes. In addition, one drink is included in this fee.

The menus of VR contents are placed in the menu book, too. Those most are free, but we can try more high quality VR contents by paying additional charges(300yen~600yen).

However, 30 minutes pass immediately because they have too much free VR contents. 1000yen/30min is enough to that beginners understand pleasure of VR.

The location of this cafe is a 2-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line Okachimachi Station. There is near from Ueno where is popular as a sightseeing spot. A regular holiday is Sunday, but it opens in 11am - 7pm, Monday - Saturday.

5.29.2017

From May 13 to May 21, Japanese major mobile game company GREE released VR fishing game "Tsuri Sta VR(釣りスタVR)" in game arcade Adores of Shibuya and Ikebukuro.

This was developed as of the 10th anniversary memory of their longtime seller mobile fishing game "Tsuri Sta".

Tsuri Sta is a pioneer of the mobile social game released in 2007 when future-phones were the height of prosperity. GREE provided various social games in their mobile Social Networking Service before Facebook became the open platform. Users of GREE made own avatars and they competed with other users for a catch score. When a lot of mobile social games were created and died through ten years, but this survived. It becomes the game for smartphones now.

Tsuri Sta VR is the VR fishing game that reproduced an atmosphere and a game system of Tsuri Sta in full 3D. Controllers are Android smartphones, and players operate this and catch fish. In addition, the chairs were cooler-boxes. There was right a fishing place! :)

The game was PvP that six players comped for catch points within a time limit.

Finally three players of high ranks were commended. Of course the winners' platform was prepared.

Unfortunately this is showcase VR game, and not released in market places. It was only shown as the tenth anniversary project. However, it was the high quality VR game. I hope that this is shown by the big event such as the Tokyo game show.

5.26.2017

Now, the Collabo-cafe(collaboration-cafe) prospers in Japan. This is one of the new PR technique, the cafe and bars collaborate with mangas, animes, games, artists and provide the menu which assumed them motifs to their fans. They can enjoy worldviews that they love by menus and upload those photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. This is very important. The foods information scattered by photos is strong and they draw new fans.

It's held in new commercial facilities AREA-Q ANNEX in Harajuku, Tokyo. This has nine kinds of drink menus(three kinds are alcohol among them) which assumed characters of the game motifs, and fans order them at the time of entering.

The price is 600yen - 700yen. To be frank, it's expensive, but is common for the collabo-cafe. Because...

"Bonus" is attached to it. Fans can get the coaster of game characters at random whenever they order menus.

In addition, sojourn time per once is set a limit by 90min. They may enjoy it enough.

Signatures of voice actors who played voices of the game character are displayed in this cafe. Voice actors are very popular in Japan.

Furthermore, various goods are sold in the cafe. In them, the special goods to be able to buy only here are included.

In other words, Collabo-cafe is a place for interchange between fans. It will be surely fun if they can talk with somebody about own favorite game and its characters at such a place. This Collabo-cafe is held until May 30. Infomation is here(Japanese).

Tokushima Machi Asobi is an pop cultures event held twice a year in Tokushima-shi, Tokushima Prefecture. Tokushima-shi is the capital city of Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku island in Japan. There is county town, but a lot of companies and creators about anime, manga, and game participate whenever this is held. Furthermore, many otakus and tourists gather to enjoy this. Of course this contributes to regional vitalization.
Because VR film festival was held this time, it was not unnatural that Palmer Luckey participated in this event. However, his appearances might be slightly unnatural.

He cosplayed as "Quiet" from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. His hot costume and friendliness became the big topic in the Japanese VR industry in Twitter. Yoshihito Kondoh of Japanese VR evangelist took his funny photo.